An exquisite and most decorative true pair of French and German collaboration 19th century Louis XV st. ormolu, tole and Meissen porcelain sconces. Each three arm sconce is centered by an exceptional bottom ormolu foliate reserve and elegant pierced lattice... — Read More

An exquisite and most decorative true pair of French and German collaboration 19th century Louis XV st. ormolu, tole and Meissen porcelain sconces. Each three arm sconce is centered by an exceptional bottom ormolu foliate reserve and elegant pierced lattice design from where the two bottom arms branch out. The beautifully scrolled arms are adorned with a stunning array of tole leaves and wonderfully executed colorful hand painted Meissen porcelain flowers leading to remarkable foliate ormolu bobeches and candle cups. At the center of each sconce are exquisite Meissen porcelain statues with the sconce to the left depicting a beautiful maiden dressed in colorful classical attire while wearing a lovely bonnet and holding her dress. The sconce to the right depicts a man also dressed in period attire seemingly serenading the woman while holding a bassoon amidst a stunning array of hand painted Meissen porcelain flowers and scrolled ormolu movements. Above is a single arm decorated in the same manner also displaying a lovely foliate bobeche and candle cup.

Meissen porcelain or Meissen china was the first European hard-paste porcelain, developed in 1708. The production of porcelain at Meissen, near Dresden, started in 1710 and attracted artists and artisans to establish one of the most famous porcelain manufacturers, still in business today as Staatliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Meissen GmbH. The signature logo, the crossed swords, was introduced in 1720 to protect its production; the mark of the crossed swords is one of the oldest trademarks in existence. It dominated the style of European porcelain until 1756. — Read Less